Dredging project at Port of Geelong to double trade and employment

The Victorian Government will spend $5 million on dredging in the Port of Geelong.

The work is expected to start next year and will see up to 13,000 cubic metres of clay and mud moved from the port.

The tender process will start in the next few weeks and the dredging is expected to start in March 2014.

The Premier, Denis Napthine, said trade and employment at the port is expected to double by 2030.

"The Port of Geelong has a very strong future," he said.

"It's a job creator. It's an important part of the economy of Geelong and this investment, this multi-million dollar investment, in deepending and widening the shipping channel, will allow even larger ships to come in here to Geelong."

Dr Napthine says between 2010 and 2013, the number of ships docking in Geelong grew from 508 to 770.

"This is an indication of the growth and development of the trade in this region," he said.